Belt conveyer idler



Aug. 15, 1939 c. R. wElss al1-A1. 2,169,624

' CONVEYER IDLER Filed March 12, 195s s sheets-sheet 1 Q. full a c. R. wElss ET AL- BELT CONVEYER'IDLER Aug. 15, '1939 Filed March 12, 193e :s sheets-sheet 2- Aug.f l5, 17939. c. R. wElss ET Al.`

N BELT cQNvEYER-'I'DLER *l Filed March l, 193s 3 sheets-sheet s 36 si a@ 34 l jap/7 l rials which are in no way absorbed 'ior lessened in Patented Aug. i5, 193,9

'\ UNITED STATES- BELT CONVEYER IDLER Charles R. Weiss and Richard W. Parker, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to Link Belt Company, a corporation of Illinois Application March 12, .1938; Serial No. 195,605

12 Claims. (Cl. 198-192) rolls which directly engage both surfaces of the belt; one surface in supporting the active run and the other surface in supporting the inactive run. Itis impossible to prevent at least some of the* aterial being conveyed from spilling onto 'or otherwise coming into contact with the metal rolls iffthe material being handled is in lump, granulafi` or powdered form. The material often is 'of such a character that it will cause abrasion or corrosion of Athe metal rolls.

It is the usual practice to feed the material to be conveyed onto the belt by gravity. When'the material is heavy and/or'possesses sharp corners or points, the metal rolls underneath the belt aord suchla rigid, non-yielding support that the belt is constantly being subjected to impact blows delivered by the heavy or sharp cornered mateintensity. `The belt, therefore, is subjected` to considerable punishment as it passes beneath the mechanism employed for feeding the mat- 'rial to the conveyer.

1f the materiel -heing conveyed is weighty, it

will cause the belt to sag between idlers with the result that the material win be iarred or jolted as itpasses over the metal rolls of each idler.

It is the primary purpose of this yinvention to 'delivered to the belt while passing the loading mechanism and which will yield to the passage of naterial thereover so as to permit the material to move smoothly through its entire travel. A further important object of. the invention is to provide idler rolls which may be fabricated from a few different standardized parts in such a manner that 'a full line of different sized idlers may be rapidly produced therefrom and made readily available for prompt shipment without having to carry in stock a full line of pre-fabrito discard practically the entire structure.

Another object of the inventionfis to provide idler rolls which have their lbelt contacting sur-x faces formed by a plurality of separately com'- pressible sections or portions which are held in position in a ,manner to leave the peripheral regions ofthe sections or portions free to be compressed cr deformed with the result that theroll affords a maximum amount of elasticity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. v

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a 'complete idler structure embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating one form of idler roll which is constructed .in .accordance with the principles of this invention,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the C roll structure disclosed in Fig. 2,

Figure 4 is a 'fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a modified form of idler roll structure,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating a further modified forin of idler roll structure,

Figure 6 isa fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a still'further modified form of idler roll structure,

Figure '1 is a similar view to Fig. 6, but inustrates another form of idler roll structure, and

Figure 8 is a similar view to Figs. 6 and 7, and illustrates another form of idler roll structure.

In the' drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of this invention, Figure 1 discloses an idler structure of the type which is intended for `troughing the active run of a conveyer belt. This idler includes a main frame I0 which is supported by legs II at its` opposite ends. A suit' the manner disclosed in each one of theremainin'g gures of the drawings. In Fig. 1, the rolls to effect troughing of a conveyer belt. It is to be understood, however, that rolls of the chardrawingsmay be constructed of properglengths to employ a single roll for supporting the entire width of the conveyer belt.

The first .form of idier ron to be described is -illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 and 3. This roll includes a. shaft l5 .which is threaded at its opposite ends as at 1 6. VAnI anti-friction or other type of bearing unit II is mounted on each end portion of the shaft. Supported on the shaft by I3 are illustrated as being angularly arranged acier disclosed in the remaining figures of the 50 the bearing units i1 are the head members I3. For the purpose of excluding dust and other foreign matter from the bearings I1 and to retain lubricants for said bearings, a lubricant retaining seal I9 is threadedly connected to each one of the heads I3. It will be seen that the said heads retain the bearing units I1 from movement toward each other. A retaining nut 20 is threaded on each end portion i6 of the shaft I5 and is provided with a sleeve portion 2i which bears against the inner raceway of the adjacent bearing unit to prevent outward movement of the unit.

Each head I8 is provided with an annular shoulder or seat portion 22 on which bears the adjacent end of a tubular shell 23 which encircles the shaft I5 and is retained in concentric relation with respect thereto by the bearing units I1 and the heads Il. A suitable number of tie rods 24, having nuts 2S threaded on the opposite ends of the same, pass through openings formed in the heads Il to draw these heads toward each other. By means of the tie rods 24 andthe shell 23, the heads Il are retained in proper spaced relation.

For the purpose of causing the roll to absorb shocks and to cause the roll to resist abrasion and corrosion, a tread 26 is applied to the portion of-the roll which has been described heretofore. This tread is formed of a plurality of rubber, ringlike sections 21 and 28. sections are placed in direct contact with each other and, as is shown in Fig. 2, all of the sections are of uniform diameter. The various central sections 21 are also of uniform thickness. 'Ihe end sections 2l are of greaterY thickness, or of greater dimensions in an axial direction, to afford proper lateral support for the thinner inner sections 21. The end sections 2l, also, are recessed centrally, as at 2l, to receive the peripheral portion of rthe adjacent head Il.

It will be appreciated that the various ringlike sections 21 and 2l of the tread portion 26 may be made of any suitable resilient material. It is preferred, however, to form these sections of solid rubber. By disconnecting either of the retaining nuts 2l and the adjacent nuts 2l from the tie rods 24, the head Il at that end of the roller assembly may be removed with its bearingl unit I1 for the purpose of removing any or all of the ring-like sections 21 and 28 to permit repairs to be made. It also will be appreciated that by varying the length of the shaft Il, the shell 23, and the tie rods 24, rolls of diiierentlengths may be provided by merely varying the numberof intermediate ring-like sections 21.

Fig. 4 discloses an idler roll structure which differs from the construction disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 solely by having alternate ring members or sections 3l of the tread of reduced diameter ascompared to the ring-like sections 21 and 28.

The remaining elements of this roll are the same as have been described in connection with Figs.

2 and 3, and for that reason the same reference i characters will be applied thereto. The tread portion 26 of the -roll disclosed in Fig. 4 will a Slightly higher degree of elasticity or ilexibillty `in view of the fact that the ring-like sections 21 and 2l will be permitted to flex or be deformed laterally or in an axial 4direction with respect tothe entire roll assembly.

Fig. 5 discloses a further modiiled form of idler roll. This roll includes a central shaft lia which is threaded at its oppomte ends Ita. An anti-friction roller unit Ila is mounted on each All of these end of the shaft lia. These bearing units i1a support head members Ita for rotation relative to the shaft I5a. 'Ihe bearing units I1a are retained in position upon the shaft I 5a by the heads I8a and retaining nuts 20a which are threaded `onto the end portions IGa of the shaft.

Seatedon a shoulder portion 22a of each head Ila is a tubular shell 23a.

Mounted upon the shell 23a is a tread portion 26 which is formed of two sets of ring-like members vor sections 3l and 32. The sections 3i are of greater diameter than the sections 32 and for that reason project peripherally beyond the sections 32.

All of these sections 3i and 32 are detachably retained upon the shell 23a' by means of a retaining flange 33 which is threaded into each end of the bore of the shell 23a.

In this roll assembly, the peripheral regions of the ring-like sections 3i will 'be permitted to be exed laterally or axially of the roller structure and they may be very readily compressed radially.

In the roller structure disclosed in Fig. 6, we have a modiiication in the tread portion 26 over the roll structure disclosed in Figs. 2 to 4, inclu-. sive. For that reason, the tread portion will be specically described, but the same reference characters as those applied in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, will be employed for the remaining elements. The tread portion 26 of the roll shown in Fig. 6 includes the thick end ring sections 23a and the spacedintermediate ring sections 21a. The base portion 34 of each one of the intermediate rings 21a is of dovetail shape in cross section. The base portion 35 of each one of the end ring members 28a is of semi-dovetail shape in section. These base portions 34 and 35, thererfore, are provided with laterally projecting shoulders.

To retain the various ring sections 21d and 28a in proper spaced relation along the length of the shell 23 and to clamp the ring sections against radial outward movement, clamping bands Il of V-shape in section are positioned between the various ring sections 21a and 28a. These clamping bands 36 engage the laterally projecting shoulders formed by the bases 34 and 3l of the ring sections.

'Ihe modied form of idler roll disclosed in Fig. 'l differs from the roll structures disclosed in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, and 6 solely with reference tothe type of tread 2i which is associated with the remainder of the assembly. All other elements of the roll assembly are the same as those disclosed in the preceding figures, and for that reason the same reference characters will be applied thereto.

The tread portion 26 of the structure shown in Fig. 'I includes a plurality of intermediate ring sections 21b which are of inverted T-shape in cross section. This sectional shape of the ring members 21h provides base portions 34a which are axially enlarged with respect to the remaining portion of the ring so as to provide laterally projecting shoulders. The end ring members 2lb also are provided with base p0rtions lla which are enlarged to provide laterally projecting shoulders. These various base portions 34a and Ilaare placed in engagementv with each other to maintain the peripheral portions of the several rings spaced in an axial direction. To retain the various ring members 21h and 2lb against radial movement away from the shell 23, a clamping band'a is positioned 75 :3,169,334vv r between each adjacent pair of ring members and clamps the base members 34a and v35dto the shell 23.

'I'he form of idler roll disclosed in Fig. 8 differs from the rolls disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 only with reference to its tread portion 26. This tread portion26 is molded in one piece and includes a continuous base 31 with the ring-like ribs 38 formed in axial spaced relation around the periphery of the base. The end portions of the base 31 have formed thereon the heavier or thicker ring-like portions '39. The remaining elements of this roller structure will be identied with the same reference-characters as have been used in Figs. 6 and '7.

It will be appreciated that with the tread portions of each one of the several roll structures formed of rubber, or other similar elastic material, the rolls will be capable of resisting the abrasive and corrosive actions ofthe material being transported by the conveyer belt supported by such rolls. These rolls, also, will be able to absorb and resist shocks or impacts delivered to the belt either by the material being dropped by gravity thereon or from any other cause. The rolls also will yield to the passage of material and objects thereover with the result that the ymaterial or objects will be permitted to move smoothly throughout the entire active .or loadcarrying run of the conveyer.

Because of the fabricated nature of the roll constructions, itwill be possible to produce rolls of any desired lengths or diameters by employing elements of proper size. It will be possible, therefore. to maintain in stock a few different standardized parts and produce therefrom afull line of idler rolls without having to carry in stock a full line of prefabricated rolls of the diierent standard sizes. It also will be possible to very readily and quickly replace worn-out or damaged elements without having to discard an entire roll assembly.

It is to be understood that the forms of this invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, we claim: l. In a belt lconveyer idler, a roll comprising l a shell, a resilient laminated tread `for the roll comprising a plurality of ring members of alternatingly different diameters mounted on the shell, said larger diametered ring members being separately compressible at the peripheral region of the roll and aiording a belt supporting lsurface which is equal to at least one half the length of the roll, said smaller diametered ring members being formed of rubber, or the like, and means located radially inwardly of said peripheral region of the roll for restraining said'ring members against radial outward movement.

2. A belt conveyer idler comprising a frame, a plurality of bracket arms carried by the frame, and angularly arranged rolls mounted on said bracket arms, each one of said rolls comprising a shell, and a rubber tread mounted on said shell and held against removal by said heads, the rubber tread for each end roll including a peripheral region formed of avplurality of axially separated portions with means adjacent said shell for maintaining said portions separated, the rubber tread for the middle roll being of uniform diameter throughout its length.

3. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a shell, a rubber tread mounted on said shell and being divided into a plurality of ring-like sections, with the section at each end of the roll being of greater dim'ension in an axial direction than the remaining sections, and means for retaining 'all of said ring-like sections in piace on said shell.

4. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a shell, a rubber tread mounted on said shell and being divided into a plurality of ring-like sections of alternately different diameters, and a plurality of tie rods extending axially of the roll through saidzsections of the tread to secure the sections in place.

5. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprisin Aa shell, a rubber tread mounted on said shell' and being divided .into a plurality of ring-like sections with adjacent sections being of different diameters, and' a head at each end of the shell for retaining said sections in place. f

6. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a shell, and a rubber tread mounted on said shell and being formed by a plurality of ring-like sections With each section having an axially enlarged base region forming laterally projecting shoulders and a plurality of additional ring-like sections of less diameter than and engaging the shoulders of adjacent pairs of said irst sections.

7. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a pair of heads each having a seat located inwardly of its periphery, a shell bearing at its ends on said heads, and a tread of solid rubber mounted on said shell, said tread being formed of ring-like sections with the Lend sections being of greater mass than the intermediate sections and being recessed to receive the portions of the heads located outwardly of their shell seats.

8. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a laminated solid rubber tread with adjacent laminations-being of different diameters.

9. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a laminated solid rubber tread, each of said tread laminations being axially enlarged adjacent its base to maintain the peripheralportions spaced,

.and means engageable with said enlargements to restrain said laminations against radial outward movement.

10. In a belt conveyer idler, a roll comprising a. laminated solid rubber tread, each of said tread laminations being axially enlarged adjacent its base to maintain the peripheral portions spaced. and clamping bands engageable with said enlargements to restrain said laminations against f radial outward movement; 

